OZTORY IN VERSE THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ A P R K. F MCCAA BOOKS • SANTA ROSA, CA McCaa Books 1604 Deer Run Santa Rosa, CA 95405-7535 Copyright © 2021 by Ronald K. Ford All rights reserved Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. First published in 2021 by McCaa Books, an imprint of McCaa Publications. Library of Congress Control Number: 2021900062 ISBN 978-1-7363451-1-5 Printed in the United States of America Set in Minion Pro Book design by Waights Taylor Jr. Book illustrations by Delaney Ford Cover image: AF Fotograe / Alamy Stock Photo www.mccaabooks.com OZTORY IN VERSE was adapted from THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ and the other books of L. Frank Baum OZTORY IN VERSE FOREWORD t was somewhere in the summer of 1943 when my mother intro- Iduced me to e Wonderful Wizard of Oz. We had selected this book from the children’s library at the far end of town. It was a few more years before I was allowed to go alone to the library, a dis- tance some three miles from home. e distance did not matter to me, for the rewards of reading were paramount in my life. On the wide front porch of the large old house in which we lived there rested a comfortable ancient sofa. ere was no front light on the porch, but my mother positioned a table lamp at the window behind the sofa and its faint eorts provided enough light for her to read this story to me nightly until we had nished it. Perhaps it is only in my imagination, but I believe I clamored for her to read it to me again from the beginning. If that was not the second time I heard the story, then I do know it was shortly aer Christmas that year, for under that Christmas tree was my own brand new copy of e Wonderful Wizard of Oz. My father was overseas in the army where he nished his tour of duty in Okinawa. Only later did I learn about the terrible events that took place there. So it was up to my mother to keep me occupied, entertained and educated. She taught me to read well before I entered kindergarten, and the cornerstone of my reading education was this rst of the fourteen L. Frank Baum classics. I collected soda pop bottles, cracked walnuts and sold them to the ice cream store down the block and saved my Tooth Fairy money 7 RONALD K. FORD to buy the next Oz book. Oz book requests were the rst item on my birthday and Christmas lists. As I progressed through the elementary grades, I was able to persuade my third through h grade teachers to read two or three of the Oz books to the class aer lunch recess. When I became a teacher of third, fourth, and h grade students I read the Oz books to my respective classes. When e Wizard of Oz became a yearly production on television I was a regular viewer. In short, I have never outgrown my initial fascination with Oz and its char- acters and the many interpretations of the story I have encountered over the years. Having noted the adaptations and omissions that were needed to create the lm, and compared the lm with the book, I felt there needed to be a closer look at the “original” tale. As another of my intense interests is poetry, I have attempted to relate each chapter of the book as closely as I can to the original story in poetical form. I invite you to read the book as you peruse the poem and see if I have achieved my goal. Regardless, I have greatly enjoyed the process and I thank you for reading my eort. Enjoy! Ronald K. Ford 8 OZTORY IN VERSE THE POEM e stories told about this land are tales From long ago. About a place where all exists, though much Is hard to show. Beginning in a Kansas town inside e U.S.A., Our story is about a girl whose house Is blown away. Her Uncle Henry and Aunt Em were le Behind to mourn; eir beloved Dorothy was gone and they Were le forlorn. e roaring winds tore up the house and swept Away one pair, Both Dorothy and her little dog were sucked Up through the air. 9 RONALD K. FORD ey whirled and spun through time and space, the rush Of winds, a roar; Both Toto and his mistress feared their lives Would be no more. en suddenly, the air was still, and though It sounds absurd, ere now arose triumphant cheers, the shouts Of people heard! So small they were, all dressed in blue, both old And young alike, Cavorting, leaping, shouting out, a sound Much like a shrike. So full of joy and merriment they could Not hold their glee! ey laughed and hugged and pointed at the house For all to see. ey shouted, cheered and tore their hats right o Of ev’ry head. “She’s gone, she’s gone, the wicked witch. At last, At last she’s dead!” Small Toto barked; he growled and shook his tail In warnings loud; But his null threats completely brave were lost, Within the crowd. 10 OZTORY IN VERSE So Dorothy and her little dog stepped down outside the door. Almost as one the cheering crowd did point Beneath the oor. A pair of silver shoes was there beneath e house’s edge. ey gleamed and sparkled in the sun behind A bluebell hedge. As Dorothy stared full of concern a small, Important man, Approached her with a parchment scroll which he Began to scan. “We here, the residents of Munchkin Land, Are deep in debt To you. My lady, look and see whereon Your house is set.” As Dorothy looked the silver shoes dropped like A aming are; Another cheer among the crowd arose Upon the air. “Our Queen, Our Queen,” the dancing people cried, “We bow to you.” But Dorothy simply stood in shock and knew Not what to do. 11 RONALD K. FORD Now just in front of all the crowd a small Blue form appeared. e woman wore a long white cape on which Bright stars were tiered. Her wrinkled face was old but kind; her voice Was warm and sweet, “I am the good witch of the north; I’m pleased With you to meet.” “I’m Dorothy Gale from Kansas, Ma’am, I’m pleased To meet you too. Perhaps you’ll help me understand just what I’m s’posed to do.” “Well, rst, you’ve killed the Wicked Witch who was To Munchkins mean. e people are so happy that they want You as their queen.” But Dorothy now was terried. “It can’t Be true,” she cried. “I didn’t mean to kill her, and to keep e rules I’ve tried. I want to go back home right now; I’m lost And so afraid.” At this the little woman said, “You must Have courage, maid. 12 OZTORY IN VERSE “e Wicked Witch from in the East, the one You have dispatched, Was one of two within our land whose deeds Have gone unmatched. e Wicked Witch o in the West is all at now remains. And she would love to have those shoes to help Her evil gains. “I cannot send you home my child, I think --” She made a pause, “I think you now should travel, Dear, to see e Wizard Oz. “e City of the Emeralds is where He can be found. He rules from there the country whole, in peace For miles around.” Yet Dorothy had no peace of mind; she did Not know the way. But then the good Witch pointed to the place e path did lay. “You see those yellow bricks of gold? ey lead e way ahead. Just follow them and you will come to be Safe in your stead. 13 RONALD K. FORD “So have no fears, for no one here shall harm You, child,” she said. With that she placed a gentle kiss upon Miss Dorothy’s head. “Yes, dangers there are plenty of, but you Must never fear. My mark will keep you safe from harm, at least While you are here. So Dorothy and her little dog set o Upon the path, eir goal to earn the Wizard’s help and not e Wizard’s wrath. Now Dorothy’s pace was brisk and true; but it Was not too fast. e citizens of Munchkin Land would bow As she walked past. As evening fell and dusk drew nigh she slowed Her fast paced walk. She came upon a Munchkin house owned by A man named Boq. Loud music played and people danced, and there Were tables full Of food and drink, and owers bright, and all So colorful. 14 OZTORY IN VERSE e Munchkin Boq had words to say while he And Dorothy sat. He thanked her for the saving of his land And mentioned that, “While witches only can wear white, you’re dressed In white and blue! e silver shoes upon your feet, they show Your power too.” When Dorothy continued on the day Was bright and clear.